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Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Gene

Gene's viewing is tonight. I'm off and running to get a few final things done. I thought I'd share the long version of his obituary here, along with a few photos of Gene.

Byron Eugene Ashbrook, 84, passed away peacefully, on February 23, 2014, at the Logan Valley Nursing Home, Logan, Utah. Gene was born on March 10, 1929 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was one of two sons, born to Reverend Milan Forest Ashbrook and Elizabeth Barbour. His brother, James and his parents preceded him in death.

As a young man and throughout his life, Gene was an avid supporter of the Boy Scouts of America. When others had no hope, Gene was instrumental in helping scouts attend the International Scout Jamboree in France in 1946.

Gene served as a US Navy Corpsman and medic in the Easy Medical Company, First Marine Division in the Korean War, receiving four service stars on the Korean ribbon and the Marine Insignia. Gene was married to Hettie Goldrick and together they had two sons, Dennis and David and a daughter, Mary Alice. Gene later divorced. He married Delphia Leona Cash and they were also later divorced.

Following the war, Gene found himself living in Los Angeles,California, working in the film industry as a Sound Engineer. Gene took great pride in recalling stories of his years in Hollywood, working over 40 years in movies and later, television shows, Diagnosis Murder and Matlock. He proudly displayed a photo of friend, Dick Van Dyke with the words, "Gene, thanks for making me sound good!" Gene was a member of the Society of Camera Operators. He served as President of the Union and received awards and recognition throughout his career, including the SOC Lifetime Achievement Award for his work on the film "Rocky". Gene even has his own page in ImDB.

Gene was baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in September,1969 and lived the remainder of his life serving faithfully in the church. Gene lived and served as a Stake Missionary in the La Crescenta, California Stake. In 1994, he met the love of his life, Anna Lee Corbridge, in La Canada, California, when Anna's missionary companion introduced them, "Now, he's just the one for you, Sister Corbridge." Several months later, on September 30, 1994, Gene and Anna were married for time in the Los AngelesTemple.

Following their marriage, Gene and Anna moved to Idaho, where Gene was called as a service missionary for the LDS AudioVisual Department. He took great pleasure in assisting with the filming of "The Testament", as well as many other church video publications. After his two year service mission, he continued to work part time for the LDS Motion Picture Studio for two more years.

Gene adapted quite quickly to country life when he and Anna moved to the cabin on the Corbridge Ranch north of Soda Springs, Idaho. After a short while, attending the LDS ward in Soda Springs, they were invited to attend the Greys Lake Ward, where they were immediately "put to work". Gene served in the bishopric for several years in the ward. During that time, Gene and Anna also served as officiators in the Logan LDS Temple, until they moved back to their home in Cache Valley, just across the street from the Temple.

Although Gene suffered from Parkinsonism for the last years of his life, he took full advantage of living in the shadows of the temple by continuing to volunteer as a witness for many, many sealings. His faithfulness was appreciated and his dedication was shown as he would arrive early and stay late to help others and could be seen walking up the steep north hill to the temple while in his early 80s. Gene loved working with those who served in the temple.

Gene was a hard working man, punctual to a fault and always wore a smile. His work was his play, he didn't need any other kind of recreation. He was always looking for something to do, from painting to chopping wood. Idleness was not his friend. He was an avid genealogist, spending countless hours researching family history. He carried a briefcase with prepared talks and could always be called on to teach and share his testimony and love of the gospel of Jesus Christ with others. Gene was a true patriot and loved his country.

(This photo was taken the night before Gene fell and broke his hip just two and a half weeks ago.)

Funeral services will be held, Thursday, February 27, 2014, at 11 a.m. at the Allen-Hall Funeral Home, 34 East Center Street, Logan, Utah with Bishop Kaylon Anderson conducting. Viewings will be Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Allen-Hall Mortuary. Military rites and internment will be in the Logan Cemetery.

Condolences may be extended to the family online at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Humanitarian Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The family would like to thank those who assisted with Gene's care.